Always Read the Directions - At least Twice!

You know that old adage:  "Measure twice, cut once"?  Before one cuts anything---wood, fabric, pipe, countertops, screens, window blinds...you name it....always measure at least twice to be sure, then cut.  Why?  Because once one cuts it, it can't be put back together to make it longer.  Cutting off more to make it shorter is possible, but longer?  No.

I do well with that in my sewing room.  I always measure several times, re-figure on paper and with the calculator, because my math skills are not my strong suit.  Remember?  I am (or was) an English teacher.  Ask me to write about it and I will whip up a description of composes a paragraph with ease.  But measuring?  No.

The same thing applies with recipes, except I always put a different spin on it.  For me it is always 'read the ingredients lists twice or three times and double check the measurements before any ingredients are added.'   Why?  Because it would be too easy to switch baking SODA for baking POWDER or tomato SAUCE for tomato PASTE.  And when I am measuring items from the spice cabinet?  I usually will pull out the cinnamon and nutmeg and allspice and vanilla, then double check to be sure if I need a teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon or 2 tablespoons of an item.  Can you imagine what snickerdoodles  would taste like with  1 T of salt instead of a teaspoon or 2 teaspoons of almond extract in the coconut cream pie filling instead of 1/2 teaspoon?  

Today was one of those times when I didn't double check the recipe.  I was making pancakes for brunch after we watched the online service from the Francesville Christian Church.  I read the directions.  2 c. of bisquick mix  1 1/4 c. milk, 1 egg.  Ok.. I can do that.  Easy peasy.  But I was talking to Gary, heating up the griddle so it would be ready for the first pancake batter to hit the hot surface, and I didn't double check.  Two cups of bisquick mix.  Check!  Hmmm..I think I will use the whole milk I bought for the coconut cream pie since Gary doesn't use it for his cereal.  I pulled out the larger liquid measuring cup, retrieved the milk from the fridge, and poured out two cups.  I had to smile again because for some reason I can pour into a liquid cup and stop just at the right spot, then when I bend down to check at eye level (as I was taught my Miss McIntyre years ago in 8th grade home ec.) it is always right!  I poured out two cups, added it to the dry mix and began to stir while checking to see how many eggs I needed.  One egg.  OH NO!!!!!!!

I had added TWO cups of milk when the recipe called for 1 1/4 cups.  I didn't double check like I usually do before I add anything to the mix!!!! What to do now?  

Fortunately it was an easy fix.  I added in two more cups of the Bisquick mix, then added in another 1/4 cup of milk and TWO eggs so I had a double batch.  Good thing I had just opened the box of Bisquick mix, isn't it?   I also added in some chocolate chips.

The griddle was hot and ready.  As I poured the batter onto the griddle, I knew we couldn't eat pancakes from a double batch of batter, so I needed to come up with a plan.  While Gary suggested just refrigerating the batter and using it another time, like tomorrow morning, I really didn't want to do that.  So plan B was to cook ALL of the batter and refrigerate the remaining pancakes to reheat whenever we needed them.  That seemed to be a good solution.

We each had four pancakes along with sausage for brunch. There were 8 extra pancakes that were cooled and slid into a ziplock to re-heat tomorrow morning for breakfast. 

It worked out this time.  But if that had been the last of the Bisquick or had been low on eggs, we would have had some soupy pancakes to deal with. 

Yes. It is always better to read the directions AND the ingredients list often during the cooking/baking experience. 

I will try not to forget the next time!